The head coach of the Wales national football team, Craig Bellamy, is preparing his team for the upcoming duel against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play-off semi-finals for the 2026 World Cup.
The national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina will visit Wales on March 26 in Cardiff, and Bellamy spoke to the BBC about the way he approaches the preparation for such important matches.
“I work harder than I need to, but I’ve learned not to push myself too hard. Changes are inevitable until the game and I try not to let that throw me off balance,” Bellamy said.
According to the British media, Bellamy has already shown how detailed he approaches the analysis of opponents. At a media conference in Podgorica in 2024, apart from the League of Nations match, he also spoke about the former youth national team of Yugoslavia from 1990, which surprised the journalists present.
The Wales coach spends a lot of time analyzing opponents, but also his own team, reviewing matches and training sessions. His preparation, as he says, does not end at home either.
“It’s interesting that last night I watched a movie about the war in the Balkans. I need to know who these people are, what their background is and where they come from. I did the same thing when we played against Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein,” said Bellamy.
He adds that such an approach does not bring him a direct tactical advantage, but it helps him better understand the opponent’s mentality.
“It’s more of a personal thing. I wonder where the coach was born, what his experience is and his way of thinking. I love history, geography and football. It’s all connected. That’s how I relax and understand people better, and therefore I have more respect for them,” concluded Bellamy.
(Vijesti.ba)
